Caps vs. 'Nucks post-game thoughts

The picture says it all. The Capitals got off to a fast start in the first and never slowed down.

Record-Breaking Night
The Capitals allowed only 9 shots on goal, a new team record. The fewest before was 11 shots vs. the Florida Panthers in a game the Capitals lost.

I'm not going streaking anymore...
Roberto Luongo's 11-game win streak vs. the Capitals came to an end. Luongo was pulled at the start of the third period. The Canucks lost to the Caps for the first time since 2001.

No longer "Alex the Lesser"
Alex Semin recorded 2 goals in tonight's game. He leads the NHL with 6 points in 3 games.

A good place to get started
Nicklas Backstrom has been quiet on the top line so far this season. With Pittsburgh on the horizon, there couldn't be a better team for Backstrom to start scoring against. He has recorded 7 assists against the Pens in 4 games. He also scored the GWG in the last meeting...

fe-D-orov
Forward Sergei Fedorov was moved to defense for the game against the Canucks. He was a +3 with an assist. He had 25 shifts on ice, second to Mike Green's 26, and logged 20:21 of ice time. It would not be a surprise to see Fedorov playing defense again against the Penguins.

More fuel for the Nylander trade fire...
With eyes on Nylander from various teams, tonight's game made his trade stock rise. Nylander had a goal (penalty shot) and 2 assists. He was a +2 on the night.

Kremlin Take
This is what the Capitals should have looked like on Friday night. The defense prevented the offense from ever setting up plays, the forecheck tired out the opposition, and the Capitals played their high-powered brand of offensive hockey. Once again it was the second line providing the bulk of the scoring, which means that future team's top shutdown line will need to cover both Alex's eventually. With Pittsburgh on Thursday, the challenge isn't just beating Pittsburgh, it's taking what they did right tonight and applying it throughout the season.